Deaf Culture Totally Had A Moment: 2017 Edition

When Deaf culture influences pop culture, everybody wins! Here are just a few of the many noteworthy Deaf moments that happened in 2017. Please feel free to add to the discussion and leave your personal favorites in the comments!

15.Tufts University creating visual ASL dictionary

The database currently has lexical and phonological properties for nearly 1,000 ASL signs! Learn more about the The ASL-LEX Database or check it out for yourself HERE.

14.Sign With Robert ASL GIF library

So it turns out: GIFs are the perfect format for American Sign Language! Discover this expressive visual language, and maybe pick up a few vocabulary words along the way. Check out the creator's GIPHY pages for many more!

11.Master of None praised for approaching deaf characters effectively in a mainstream program

Cinematography techniques were used to emphasize experience of being a deaf person, while the storyline and dialogue were used to highlight the simultaneous experience of being just an everyday human in New York.

10.Microsoft uses California School for the Deaf football team for advertisement

The Eagles football team was featured in a Microsoft advertisement for their communication skills, teamwork, and use of technology to succeed.

9.NO JUSTICE

• The case of Daniel Harris, who was shot by North Carolina state trooper following a traffic infraction, was dropped in January 2017 with no charges to the officer.

• In September 2017, Magdiel Gonzalez was shot and killed by police right outside of his home in Oklahoma City while neighbors shouted to the police that he could not hear them. In 2014 Pearl Pearson (then 64 years old) was beaten by Oklahome State troopers on the side of the road because he did not comply with orders he could not hear. Just this year, the case against Pearson was dismissed because the court did not want to pay the cost of interpreters.

Time and again law enforcement and city officials overlook the importance of providing services for the deaf when delivering critical information, for example during Hurricane Irma in Florida or the California wildfires. Social media has been helpful with raising awareness about the prevalence of these unfortunate negligent practices.

The Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana verified pizzeria is set to expand with a an investment from Communication Services for the Deaf, offering opportunities for deaf employment and connection between the deaf and hearing communities.

3.#WhyISign

The ongoing #WhyISign campaign has been raising awareness on a community level about the many reasons people use sign language. In March 2017 they held a successful 48 hour campaign to solicit videos, and they continue to post new videos on a regular basis!